Weston May Sink Rink Deal

WESTON — The city is ready to end three-year negotiations with the Deerfield Beach Sports Mall and begin seeking other groups to provide the city's new Vista Park with an ice rink.

Saying he does not think the city can reach an acceptable agreement with Sports Mall, City Manager John Flint is recommending that commissioners on Tuesday cut ties with the company and move on.

Possible new suitors include the Florida Panthers, who see the ice rink business as an extension of their NHL hockey team product, and are considering rinks in several cities.

Flint said he still expects the rink to open by 2005. Construction is scheduled to begin next year at 40-acre Vista Park, on Griffin Road near the new Cypress Bay High School.

Weston originally sought proposals in April 1999 from outside vendors to run recreation centers in the city. Three were chosen: the West Broward Family YMCA, the Sports Mall and the Jewish Community Center.

Eventutally the YMCA agreed to build at the Broward County Regional Park at Weston. The Sports Mall and the JCC vied for Vista Park, but the JCC has essentially withdrawn.In January the city voted to seek additional bids for Vista Park, frustrated by negotiations. For three years, the city and Sports Mall, which already runs a multi-sport center in Deerfield Beach, tried to reach an agreement. Finally, the city demanded a "best and final offer."

The Sports Mall came up with a deal in which it got land from the city for $1 a year. In return, the city would receive 5 percent of gross building revenues over $1.4 million. But Flint pointed out the Sports Mall's revenue projection is only $1.2 million, so the city wouldn't get a cut.

Still, Robert Todoroff, owner of Sports Mall, said: "We're still very eager to do this. We've worked on it for more than three years.

"We have designed a facility based on the needs of the feasibility study [in 1999]. We're excited that we're going to build a first-class building for the people of Weston to enjoy and provide programming for all families, kids and adults."

He estimates he has spent more than $200,000 on architectural plans, site engineering, feasibility studies, legal fees and development fees.

The city would like a "two-sheet" rink, which could accommodate two hockey games at the same time. Todoroff said his feasibility study indicates Weston's population could support only one. He said he is willing to build two rinks, but to succeed the rink would have to draw participants from outside Weston, a departure from the original plan. Broward has four ice rinks currently, in Pompano Beach, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise and the Panthers' Incredible Ice center in Coral Springs.

The Panthers have expressed interest in several South Florida sites. Panthers Chief Operating Officer Jeff Cogen said he was not aware Weston officials were considering severing ties with Sports Mall, and could not comment on how it might affect their dealings with Weston.

Nick Sortal can be reached at nsortal@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7906.